By Karen Bong
KUCHING, May 21: There is nothing wrong with Sarawak asserting its rights that could bring in streams of revenue from multiple sectors as the government is now mulling the possibility of turning carbon dioxide into biofuel.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg raised this following the passing of the Land Code (Amendment) Bill 2022 in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly on Wednesday (May 18), making it the first in Malaysia to have a legislation to regulate carbon storage and the reduction of carbon emissions.
The amendments, among others, sought to regulate and control land use for the storage, retention, capture and sequestration of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases as part of measures to mitigate climate change and global warming.
“This carbon (dioxide), not all is waste. You can retrieve the carbon gas and mix it with lumut (algae) to produce biofuel. So we can pursue the production of biofuel. Don’t worry. This will definitely strengthen our economy towards a green economy.
“Yesterday (May 20), I met with some Koreans who have expressed interest in storing carbon (dioxide) in Sarawak. After the technical study and if geological transformation allows it and if we have the capacity, why not?
“Meaning, there is a new stream of revenue for the Sarawak government,” he said when officiating at the Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) 25th Triennial Delegates Conference (TDC) 2022 held at the party’s headquarters here today, attended by its top leadership as well as members.
With Sarawak aggressively exerting its authority to restore its rights following the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) as well as continuous efforts to expand its economy through hydropower, oil and gas, Sales Tax, alternative funding to the latest carbon credit in the future, Abang Johari believes Sarawak will be a rising star in the region.
“It starts with the Sarawak government taking over the Bakun hydro dam to have complete control of power, which is important.
“Then I formed Petros. Why? Because we want to participate in the oil and gas industry. There is nothing wrong with that, and we executed the State Sales Tax, fought in court, and won. It shows that it is our right. We have the right to impose taxes on any commodity,” he stressed.
The efforts, he said, continued with a sales agreement with Petronas that now Sarawak has full control of activities on-shore while working with Petronas in off-shore activities.
“There is nothing wrong as long as Sarawak gains additional income. Therefore, I have also set up DBOS (Development Bank of Sarawak) and alternative funding to fund our projects.
“Now we want to form our own sovereign fund to save our money,” he added.
SUPP president, who is also Deputy Premier, Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian and all SUPP lawmakers from throughout Sarawak were present. — DayakDaily
